Stay up to speed with the latest people moves in agrifood and tech with AgFunderNews’ monthly column of the industry’s biggest leadership changes. In the last month, Foodpanda’s longtime CEO departed amid a bit of drama, Syngenta Group and Vertical Oceans welcomed new executives, and CPG giant Post’s CEO takes an unexpected leave of absence.
Former Foodpanda CEO Jakob Angele
Foodpanda CEO out amid alleged leaks
Foodpanda’s longtime CEO Jakob Angele stepped down as CEO in mid-October. He has been replaced by John Fang, most recently the food delivery company’s chief international officer. Delivery Hero-owned Foodpanda hasn’t publicly commented on why Angele left. However, Tech in Asia reported that he “allegedly leaked details” of the talks around Delivery Hero selling the company to competitor Grab — the current leader among Southeast Asia’s food delivery companies. “Allegations have arisen that Angele was forced out of his role after he leaked details about confidential talks considering Grab purchasing Delivery Hero’s Southeast Asian business, as alleged in posts by Rebekah Rankine, his former girlfriend,” Tech in Asia posted on LinkedIn. Angele’s departure happened amid a third round of layoffs for Foodpanda, with this latest round being done in the name of becoming “more agile.”
Syngenta Group’s new CEO Jeff Rowe
Syngenta Seeds boss dubbed new CEO
In a more congenial changing of the guards, agribusiness giant Syngenta Group will get a new CEO on Jan. 1 with the appointment of Jeff Rowe, current president of the company’s largest business unit, Syngenta Crop Protection. Rowe, who’s also a fifth-generation farmer, joined the company in 2016 as president of Syngenta Seeds and North America. He’s well known for leading Syngenta’s efforts around soil health and regenerative agricultural practices. He’ll step in after current CEO Erik Fyrwald retires. Fyrwald will continue as advisor to the chairman of Syngenta Group and remain on the company’s board of directors.
Vertical Oceans cofounder & CFO Patrick Vizzone.
‘A great fit’ for Vertical Oceans
Singapore-based aquaculture company Vertical Oceans has just appointed Patrick Vizzone as co-founder and CFO. He’ll head up financial management, strategy, and business development at the automated shrimp farming company. “Our new CFO, Patrick Vizzone, has a long history with hyper-perishable foods and [as] a board member of the International Fresh Produce Association,” Vertical Oceans wrote on LinkedIn. “This is a great fit for our same day farm to fork fresh shrimp 365 days a year.” Vizzone, who’s also a senior advisor to AgFunderNews parent company AgFunder, most recently served as managing director, head of agri-food, and head of impact investment at Franklin Templeton Global Private Equity.
These leadership changes have significant implications for the agrifood and tech industry. The departure of Foodpanda’s CEO, Jakob Angele, amid alleged leaks surrounding the company’s potential sale to Grab, highlights the intense competition in the Southeast Asian food delivery market. It also raises questions about the importance of maintaining confidentiality during sensitive negotiations.
On the other hand, Syngenta Group’s appointment of Jeff Rowe as CEO showcases the company’s commitment to sustainable agriculture. Rowe’s background in soil health and regenerative agricultural practices aligns with Syngenta’s focus on promoting environmentally friendly farming methods. This move signals Syngenta’s dedication to addressing the challenges of food production in a sustainable and responsible manner.
The addition of Patrick Vizzone as CFO of Vertical Oceans reflects the company’s ambition to revolutionize the aquaculture industry. With Vizzone’s expertise in hyper-perishable foods and his involvement in the International Fresh Produce Association, Vertical Oceans is well-positioned to achieve its goal of providing fresh, sustainable shrimp year-round.
These leadership changes demonstrate the dynamic nature of the agrifood and tech industry. As companies adapt to evolving market conditions and strive to meet the demands of a changing world, strong leadership is crucial. The individuals stepping into these roles bring unique skills and experiences that will shape the future of the industry. Stay tuned for more updates on the people moves shaping the agrifood and tech landscape.